Elastik plant explosion kills 11, injures 130
Massive fire at Elastik plant leaves 130 injured.
A devastating fire and explosion tore through the Elastik industrial plant in Russia's Ryazan region on Friday, claiming 11 lives and injuring 130, authorities confirmed Saturday. The catastrophic blaze, which erupted in a gunpowder workshop at the facility located 250 kilometers southeast of Moscow, sent shockwaves through the Shilovsky District.
Emergency response teams worked tirelessly through the weekend, combing through the smoldering rubble. The Russian Emergencies Ministry reported that two additional bodies were recovered overnight, bringing the death toll to 11. Of the 130 injured, 29 remained in hospitals as of Saturday, with 13 receiving treatment in Ryazan and 16 airlifted to specialized medical centers in Moscow for advanced care.
According to RIA Novosti, the fire originated in a gunpowder workshop, triggering a massive explosion that caused widespread destruction. Regional authorities launched a preliminary investigation to determine the cause of the blaze, with early reports suggesting potential safety violations at the plant. Three survivors were miraculously pulled from the debris overnight, offering a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.
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Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov declared Monday a day of mourning across the region. “Flags will be lowered, and all cultural institutions, television, and radio organizations have been asked to cancel entertainment events,” Malkov announced on Telegram. The somber gesture reflects the profound impact of the disaster on the local community.
This marks the second deadly incident at the Elastik plant in less than four years. In October 2021, a similar explosion at a workshop operated by explosives manufacturer Razryad killed 17 people, according to Interfax. The recurring tragedies have raised serious concerns about safety standards at the facility, prompting calls for stricter oversight.
As investigators continue to probe the cause of Friday’s explosion, residents of the Ryazan region are left grappling with grief and uncertainty. The full extent of the damage and the long-term implications for the plant’s operations remain unclear, but the tragedy has already left an indelible mark on the region.
